SCOTLAND’S future outside the EU was portrayed as a bleak economic existence with reduced workers’ rights to a committee of MSPs.

Fears were raised that the UK government would not prioritise workers protections in talks over the deal to leave the EU.

The UK’s ability and capacity to negotiate favourable trade deals on its own with major world powers was questioned.

Academic economist warned that any attempt to have access to the single market without accepting freedom of movement is unlikely and union official warned that despite it being a motivation for leaving the EU Britain would still have to pay for any free trade relationship.

The Scottish Parliament European and External Affairs Committee met during the Holyrood recess to hear views and expert opinion on the implications of the leave vote.

Stephen Boyd STUC assistant Secretary, said leaving the EU would be less good than at present.

He said: “We are looking at the least best scenario. Whatever we end up with is likely to be significantly worse than now.

“Rights are unlikely to be strengthened. Given who is negotiating there’s a risk they could be diminished.”

Graeme Roy Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute said he wondered how the UK could have benefits of the single market without being a member of the EU.

He said: “Membership of the single market is key. But not being a member you don’t get opportunity to shape the rules that govern the single market.”

He also said bilateral trade deals with other counties were not easy to do and take years to negotiate.

Those negotiations were also likely to pose a problem according to Mr Boyd.

He said: ““There’s a huge glaring lack of capacity. There’s a yawning chasm at Westminster. The UK capacity to negotiate is a real problem.

He said the US wanted access to the NHS for its big drug firms and its agriculture wanted to cash in on the UK market too and he said they are better prepared.

He added “There are well funded and organised lobby against a naive UK lobby. It is difficult to see how we don’t get squeezed in that scenario.”

Committee Convenor, Joan McAlpine MSP, said “What was clear from the evidence we heard today is that there is a huge level of uncertainty in the wake of the vote to leave the EU.

“It was clear that the longer that this uncertainty goes on the longer it will impact on Scotland’s competitiveness – whether that be in our economy, in attracting international students to study here or in our ability to export.”